The Badger Backer Roundup: QB Expectations, a Surprise Transfer, and Spring Practice Notes
Colton Joseph looks to replicate BYU magic, Aleksas Bieliauskas hits the portal, and the Badgers offer a 2027 Michigan standout.
Today is Wednesday, April 8, 2026, and the “crazy day” energy in Madison hasn’t slowed down. From a stunning departure in the frontcourt to a new QB hoping to replicate an NFL star’s college success, the news cycle is spinning fast.
Here is your Wednesday Badger Backer Roundup.
1. Basketball: The “Winter Island” is Real
Just when Badger fans thought the roster movement might stabilize after landing Owen Foxwell, another major domino fell on Tuesday.
Aleksas Bieliauskas Enters the Portal: Freshman forward Aleksas Bieliauskas has officially entered the transfer portal. The 6-foot-10 Lithuanian was a bright spot in a tumultuous season, starting 28 games and shooting 37% from deep in Big Ten play.
Building from Scratch: With Bieliauskas joining John Blackwell in the portal, and veteran starters graduating, Nolan Winter is now the only returning starter from last year’s squad, and even that’s not a guarantee yet. Greg Gard is essentially rebuilding the entire rotation through the portal this month.
2. Football: Spring Practice No. 5 Notes
After a week off for spring break, the Badgers returned to the McClain Center on Tuesday morning. The team practiced with just helmets on, and while the pads weren’t popping, the storylines certainly were.
Work in Progress: The overarching theme from Practice No. 5 was that the offense remains a “work in progress.” With 34 newcomers this season, the timing and chemistry aren’t there yet. As is typical in April, the defense is currently a step ahead.
Quarterback Watch: Colton Joseph (Old Dominion transfer), as expected, took the first-team reps. His mobility is undeniable, but the focus remains on his ability to operate Jeff Grimes’ system within the pocket. He showed a strong early connection with transfer wideout Jaylon Domingeaux and Tyrell Henry.
Deuce Adams (Louisville transfer) surprised me as well. He moved a lot better than I thought he would, showing a nice fit with the offense. He was able to navigate collapsing pockets and make some plays, whether he made a nice throw on the run or tucked the ball and gained what he could on the ground.
Defensive Standouts: It was hard to take a whole lot away from an unpadded practice, but two players that caught my eye on the defensive side of the ball were Nicolas Clayton and Jon Jon Kamara. Both players were consistently in the backfield, putting themselves in a position to force negative plays for the offense.
3. Fickell and Joseph Speak with the Media
The Badgers returned from spring break on Tuesday for their fifth session. While the offense is still finding its rhythm with 34 new faces, the post-practice presser provided some high-level insight into the locker room’s mindset.
Fickell on Joseph: "There’s a natural tightness when you’re a guy with high expectations joining a new team," Fickell said. "Each day, we’re seeing him become a little more loose." Fickell emphasized that he’s looking for Joseph to transition from "learning" the offense to "leading" it.
Turning the Page: When asked about the program’s recent struggles (a combined 9-15 record over the last two seasons), Joseph was direct about the “clean slate” mentality required to lead this team.
“I don’t really like to think about what happens in the past. That already happened. I’m really here to show what I can do in the future and show what we’re building towards.”
The most intriguing storyline of the week is why Old Dominion transfer Colton Joseph chose Madison. It turns out, his eyes were on the NFL draft boards from a few years ago.
The BYU Connection: Joseph admitted that his decision to join Wisconsin was heavily influenced by offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes. During his visit with Wisconsin, Grimes showed Joseph tape of Zach Wilson during his 2020 season at BYU (where Grimes was the OC), and sold him on what the Old Dominion transfer could accomplish in the offense with the Badgers.
The Vision: Joseph noted that seeing Wilson’s explosive, dual-threat success in Grimes’ system—which led to Wilson being the No. 2 overall NFL draft pick—was the ultimate selling point. “I saw some of the things [Wilson] was doing,” Joseph said. “I thought, ‘Man, if I could get in that offense, I could probably do those things, too.’”
4. Football Recruiting: A High-Upside Offer in Michigan
The “In-State Wall” is built for 2027, so the staff is now looking to the neighboring state of Michigan to bolster the defensive line.
Drew Aagesen Offered: Wisconsin became the first Big Ten program to officially offer 2027 3-star DL Drew Aagesen (Goodrich, MI).
The Profile: At 6-foot-5 and 265 pounds, Aagesen is a backfield menace. His junior season stats are eye-popping: 21 tackles for loss and 11 sacks.
Strategic Move: By offering now during Aagesen’s unofficial spring visit, DL coach E.J. Whitlow has positioned the Badgers as the early front-runner before the Michigan and Michigan State offers inevitably arrive.
The Final Take
The Bieliauskas news was a bit of a surprise, but Greg Gard has shown he can rebuild a roster in the transfer portal era with limited resources.
The football program finally feels like it has a quarterback who isn’t just “managing” a system—he’s trying to weaponize it. If Colton Joseph can replicate even a fraction of that “Zach Wilson at BYU” magic, the Big Ten better look out.
It means a lot to have you here at The Badger Backer. Your readership makes digging into the weeds of recruiting and roster management worthwhile. Let’s keep the conversation going!
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